History Of Depression Research Articles

Antenatal depression and its predictors among HIV positive women in Sub-Saharan Africa; a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Antenatal depression in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positive pregnant women can have significant adverse effects on both the mother and newborns, yet it is often overlooked in pregnancy care in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Despite this, there is limited data on the combined prevalence of antenatal depression and its predictors among HIV-positive women in the region. To assess the pooled prevalence of antenatal depression and its associated factors among HIV-positive women in SSA. All primary cross-sectional studies published before 1st January/2024, were included. We conducted searches in relevant databases; PubMed, HINARI, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Psychiatry Online, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. The Joanna Briggs Institute checklist was used to critically appraise the selected studies. To assess heterogeneity among the studies, we utilized the I2 test. Publication bias was evaluated using a funnel plot and Egger's test. The forest plot was used to present the combined proportion of antenatal depression and odds ratio, along with a 95% confidence interval. The pooled prevalence of antenatal depression among HIV-positive women in Sub-Saharan Africa was found to be 30.6% (95% CI, 19.8%-41.3%). Factors significantly associated with antenatal depression among HIV-positive women in SSA included being unmarried (AOR: 3.09, 95% CI: 1.57 - 6.07), having a previous history of depression (AOR: 2.97, 95% CI: 1.79 - 4.91), experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) (AOR: 2.11, 95% CI: 1.44 - 3.09), and experiencing stigma (AOR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.05 - 1.76). High prevalence of antenatal depression among HIV-positive women in SSA underscores the need for prioritizing identification and management. Interventions addressing factors like IPV and stigma, along with training for healthcare providers in recognizing symptoms and providing support, are recommended. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42024508236.

A history of depression and prenatal depression are associated with a lower likelihood of breastfeeding initiation and maintenance, and more breastfeeding problems.

This study tests the hypotheses that lifetime history of depression, and prenatal depression, are associated with a reduced likelihood of breastfeeding initiation (giving the baby any breastmilk during the first week of life) and breastfeeding maintenance (giving the baby breastmilk for at least 6 months), and a greater likelihood of reporting breastfeeding problems. We analyzed data from the Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child cohort study (MoBa), N = 78,307. Mothers reported a lifetime history of depression during the second trimester of pregnancy, and current symptoms of depression during the third trimester using the Hopkins Symptoms Checklist short version (SCL-8). At six months postpartum, mothers self-reported breastfeeding initiation, maintenance, and difficulties. Using binary logistic regression analyses, we report that a lifetime history of depression is associated with a lower likelihood of breastfeeding initiation (OR = 0.751, 95%CI = 0.650-0.938), breastfeeding maintenance (OR = 0.712, 95%CI = 0.669-0.785), and a greater likelihood of breastfeeding difficulties (OR = 1.86, 95%CI = 1.72-2.06). Similarly, prenatal depression was associated with a lower likelihood of breastfeeding initiation (OR = 0.904, 95%CI = 0.878-0.929), breastfeeding maintenance (OR = 0.929, 95%CI = 0.920-0.938), and a greater likelihood of breastfeeding difficulties (OR = 1.10, 95%CI = 1.09-1.12). Results remained largely unchanged when covaried for several confounding variables, including medication use. We provide novel evidence that pre-conception and prenatal symptoms of depression are associated with breastfeeding outcomes. This information could be used to identify women very early in pregnancy who may need additional support with breastfeeding. There is also a need to fully understand the biopsychosocial mechanisms that mediate the relationship between depression prior to birth and breastfeeding outcomes.

Antibiotic or gastric acid inhibitor use during pregnancy and postpartum depression: Population-based cohort study.

Postpartum depression is one of the most common non-obstetric postnatal complications. As the microbiome (and gut-brain axis) as well as inflammation may be involved in the mechanism, we aimed to assess if antibiotic or gastric acid inhibition use during pregnancy affects the risk of postpartum depression (clinical diagnosis and/or antidepressant use up to 1 year after childbirth). This population-based cohort study used first singleton pregnancy resulting in a live birth in Sweden from 2006 to 2016. Women with history of depression were excluded. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the impact of antibiotics and gastric acid inhibitors and other risk factors, presented as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Overall, 29% of all 10 666 women with postpartum depression were exposed to antibiotics and 6.2% to gastric acid inhibitors, compared to, respectively, 21% and 3.2% of 613 205 women without postpartum depression. Antibiotic use during pregnancy was associated with postpartum depression (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.37-1.49), particularly for quinolones and other antibacterials (including nitroimidazole derivatives). Gastric acid inhibition was associated with an even higher risk than antibiotics (OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.88-2.21). Both antibiotics and gastric acid inhibitors suggested higher risk with increased dose in a dose-response analysis. The use of antibiotics and gastric acid inhibition drugs during pregnancy appeared to be associated with a higher risk of postpartum depression. However, it is important to consider that other predisposing factors could contribute to this increased risk, even after excluding individuals with a history of depression.

Evaluating the impact of depression on self-reported quality of life measurements for patients with a history of cancer: A 2022 behavioral risk factor surveillance system questionnaire study.

e23131 Background: Patients with cancer are known to have higher rates of depression than the general population. Depression is known to impact cancer-specific outcomes. We aimed to understand if a history of depression for patients with a history of cancer impacts self-reported quality of life measurements. Methods: We identified patients with a history of cancer and patients with a history of depression using the 2022 phone based Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Questionnaire. The demographics and reported outcomes for several quality-of-life questions, including perceived emotional support, social isolation, cancer-related pain, memory, and ability to complete daily activities independently, were compared using a Chi-Square analysis. Results: Of the 441,339 patients over the age of 18 who completed the 2022 survey, 72,765 (16%) reported a history of cancer, and 90,489 (21%) reported a history of depression. Of those patients who reported a history of cancer 72,443 (99.6%) answered if they had ever been diagnosed with depression, and of these 14,987 (21%) reported a history of depression. Compared to patients with cancer alone, patients with a history of cancer and depression were younger (10% vs. 4% under the age of 45, p < 0.001), less often married (45% vs.59%, p < 0.001), more likely to be in the lowest income bracket (8% vs. 3%, p < 0.001), more likely to be obese (36% vs. 26%, p < 0.001), and more often active smokers (16% vs. 7%, p < 0.001). Several quality-of-life questions were asked of the participants, although not everyone answered each question. Overall, among patients with cancer, patients with a history of depression were more likely to report > 14 poor mental health or physical health days (35% vs. 6% and 34% vs. 14%, respectively, p < 0.001) and more likely to report their general health as fair or poor (41% vs. 21%, p < 0.001). Cancer patients with depression were less likely to report always having the social or emotional support that they need (33% vs. 55%, p < 0.001) and more likely to report always or usually feeling socially isolated (17% vs. 5%, p < 0.001). Cancer patients with depression were more likely to report pain associated with their cancer (16% vs. 7%, p < 0.001) and five times as likely to report issues with making decisions and memory (31% vs. 6%, p < 0.001). Finally, patients with depression were also more likely to report an inability to run errands alone (21% vs. 7%) and report difficulty getting dressed or bathing (12% vs. 4%, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Among people with a history of cancer, those with a history of depression are more likely to report worse physical and mental health, report worse social and emotional support and report less independence in activities of daily living. Further work is needed to understand the complex interactions between depression and quality-of-life measures for cancer patients.

RWD90 The Association Between Developing ADRD and Having a History of Depression: A Retrospective Cohort Study

RWD90 The Association Between Developing ADRD and Having a History of Depression: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Prevalence and Associations of Depression in Parents of Children With Congenital Talipes Equinovarus: A Single-Centre Study.

Congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV) is a congenital deformity that requires weekly visits to the hospital for manipulation and corrective cast application, followed by an intensive bracing regimen requiring multiple visits to the hospital spread over the years. Parents of children with clubfoot are known to undergo a range of negative emotions. The objective of this study was to identify the prevalence of depression and the factors associated with depression in parents of children with idiopathic CTEV. This cross-sectional study consecutively enrolled 190 parents of children with idiopathic CTEV undergoing treatment at King George Medical University. Parents with conditions that preclude the assessment of mental status were not included. These conditions include a history of head injury or psychiatric illness, parents with ongoing treatment of psychiatric illness, ongoing chronic illness, chronic neurological disease, and parents with clinically established intellectual disability. Information was recorded on certain parent-related characteristics and certain child-related characteristics. Parent-related information included age and sex of the parent, religion, area of residence, number of children in the family, degree of perceived social support (using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, MSPSS), level of education, socio-economic status, depression subscale score of DASS 21 (Depression, Depression Anxiety, and Stress Scale -21), chronic pain (visual analogue scale, VAS), family history of clubfoot or depression, and level of stress caused by a major life event during the past year using the Presumptive Stressful Life Event Scale (PSLES). Child-related information included the sex of the child, phase of treatment (casting or bracing), limb involvement (unilateral or bilateral), relapse of the deformity, and Pirani score of the deformity. Bivariate analysis and logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with a score ≥10 on the depression subscale of DASS 21. One hundred forty-five subjects were males (76.3%). The mean age of the enrolled parents was 28.47±4.89 years. The mean score on the depression subscale of DASS-21 was 4.87±6.3. Thirty-two parents (16.8%) had a score of ≥10 on the depression subscale of the DASS-21. On bivariate analysis, female sex, being Hindu, having studied up to class 12th, relapse, MSPSSscore, and PSLES score were found to be associated with a score ≥10 on the depression subscale of the DASS-21. On logistic regression, female sex, lack of graduate education and above, and MSPSS scores were found to be significantly associated with a score of ≥10 on the depression subscale of the DASS 21 score. The prevalence of depression in parents of children with idiopathic clubfoot was 16.8%. Female gender, lack of college education, and the level of perceived social support (MSPSS) are independently associated with a score ≥10 on the depression subscale of DASS 21. We recommend screening parents of children with clubfoot and referring those with abnormal scores to a psychiatrist for a confirmed diagnosis.

Irritability and Risk-Taking Behaviour on the Cambridge Gambling Task (CGT) in Adolescents With a Family History of Depression

Irritability and Risk-Taking Behaviour on the Cambridge Gambling Task (CGT) in Adolescents With a Family History of Depression

Personalized risk assessment of new onset depression in long-term cancer survivors.

e13798 Background: Advances in cancer detection and treatment have improved long-term survival. It is critical to understand the impact that experiencing cancer has on psychological health, given that the prevalence of depression in long-term survivors is higher than in the general population. Our aim was to develop a risk prediction model to identify long-term (5-year) survivors at high risk of developing depression. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of the SEER-Medicare database beneficiaries with localized breast, prostate, colon, or rectal cancer diagnosed between 2003-2011 who had survived at least 5 years since diagnosis. We required Part D coverage in the breast cohort to account for adjuvant endocrine therapy. Our primary outcome was the cumulative incidence of depression between 5-10 years after diagnosis, which was defined using a claims-based algorithm as a single or recurrent episode of major depressive disorder, recent episode of bipolar I disorder, or dysthymic disorder. For each cancer site, we constructed restricted mean survival time models, a non-parametric method that yields time ratios; a time ratio (TR) < 1 indicates shorter mean time to event (TTE). Results: Our cohort consisted of 80,579 survivors. The cumulative incidence of depression occurring between 5-10 years after diagnosis was 16.9% for breast cancer, 7.8% for prostate cancer, 10.6% for colon cancer, and 8.6% for rectal cancer. The cumulative incidence of new onset depression increased over time and was 7.2% vs. 13.9% among survivors diagnosed before and after 2008, respectively. Compared with patients age < 70 at diagnosis, patients aged 75 and older exhibited 5-10% shorter mean TTE across breast, prostate, and colon cancer. There was no association between Non-Hispanic (NH) Black race or Hispanic ethnicity and depression compared with NH White survivors. Asian survivors were at lower risk of developing depression. Disease specific factors, including stage, grade, hormone receptor status (breast), or PSA (prostate), did not predict depression in long-term survivors. Receipt of treatment in the 3-5 years after initial diagnosis was associated with moderately greater risk for all survivors, with the shortest mean TTE among breast cancer survivors (TR=0.91, 95% CI=0.85-0.97). Across all cohorts, the greatest predictor of depression was a prior history of depression. The incidence of depression in long-term survivors was 42% in patients with a prior history of depression vs. 8% among survivors without a prior history of depression. Conclusions: Diagnoses of depression increased in cancer patients since 2008 and were associated with prior history of depression, advanced age, census tract poverty, and continued treatment 3 years after diagnosis. Treatment type and disease specific factors were not strong predictors of depression.

The impact of history of depression and access to weapons on suicide risk assessment: a comparison of ChatGPT-3.5 and ChatGPT-4.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of ChatGPT-3.5 and ChatGPT-4 in incorporating critical risk factors, namely history of depression and access to weapons, into suicide risk assessments. Both models assessed suicide risk using scenarios that featured individuals with and without a history of depression and access to weapons. The models estimated the likelihood of suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, serious suicide attempts, and suicide-related mortality on a Likert scale. A multivariate three-way ANOVA analysis with Bonferroni post hoc tests was conducted to examine the impact of the forementioned independent factors (history of depression and access to weapons) on these outcome variables. Both models identified history of depression as a significant suicide risk factor. ChatGPT-4 demonstrated a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between depression, access to weapons, and suicide risk. In contrast, ChatGPT-3.5 displayed limited insight into this complex relationship. ChatGPT-4 consistently assigned higher severity ratings to suicide-related variables than did ChatGPT-3.5. The study highlights the potential of these two models, particularly ChatGPT-4, to enhance suicide risk assessment by considering complex risk factors.

Familial risk for depression is associated with reduced physical activity in young adults: evidence from a wrist-worn actigraphy study

Depression is characterized by reduced physical activity and sleep-wake cycle disturbances, often considered important features of the disease. While a few studies have suggested that self-reported reduced physical activity and sleep-wake cycle disturbances might both be linked to depression vulnerability, actigraphy-based measures in vulnerable samples remain largely unexplored. This study relied on actigraphy-based parameters to test whether these disturbances characterize depression vulnerability. Seven-day actigraphy data were collected from 20 (13 female) university students with a high vulnerability to depression, which was determined by the presence of a family history of the condition but no current symptoms, and 32 (21 female) controls with neither a family history of depression nor current depressive symptoms. Daily physical activity, namely gross motor activity, was quantified as average daily acceleration and time spent engaging in moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). The sleep-wake cycle and circadian rhythms were assessed as total sleep duration per night (in hours), sleep within sleep period time (in hours), sleep efficiency (%), and relative amplitude (i.e., the difference between the activity during the day and the night, which reflects circadian rhythms amplitude). Results showed that individuals with a familial risk for depression exhibited reduced daily acceleration and time spent in MVPA relative to the control group, particularly on the weekend during their free time away from scheduled activities. On the other hand, the two groups were comparable in terms of sleep estimates. Taken together, reduced physical activity, but not sleep-wake disturbances, seem to be associated with vulnerability to depression and might be a viable target for identification and prevention efforts.

Stratifying Risk for Postpartum Depression at Time of Hospital Discharge.

Postpartum depression (PPD) represents a major contributor to postpartum morbidity and mortality. Beyond efforts at routine screening, risk stratification models could enable more targeted interventions in settings with limited resources. Thus, we aimed to develop and estimate the performance of a generalizable risk stratification model for PPD in patients without a history of depression using information collected as part of routine clinical care. We performed a retrospective cohort study of all individuals who delivered between 2017 and 2022 in one of two large academic medical centers and six community hospitals. An elastic net model was constructed and externally validated to predict PPD using sociodemographic factors, medical history, and prenatal depression screening information, all of which was known before discharge from the delivery hospitalization. The cohort included 29,168 individuals; 2,703 (9.3%) met at least one criterion for postpartum depression in the 6 months following delivery. In the external validation data, the model had good discrimination and remained well-calibrated: area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.721 (95% CI: 0.707-0.734), Brier calibration score 0.088 (95% CI: 0.084 - 0.092). At a specificity of 90%, the positive predictive value was 28.0% (95% CI: 26.0-30.1%), and the negative predictive value was 92.2% (95% CI: 91.8-92.7%). These findings demonstrate that a simple machine-learning model can be used to stratify the risk for PPD before delivery hospitalization discharge. This tool could help identify patients within a practice at the highest risk and facilitate individualized postpartum care planning regarding the prevention of, screening for, and management of PPD at the start of the postpartum period and potentially the onset of symptoms.

Perinatal posttraumatic stress disorder as a predictor of mother-child bonding quality 8 months after childbirth: a longitudinal study

BackgroundNegative childbirth experiences can be related to the onset of perinatal post-traumatic stress symptomatology (P-PTSS), which significantly impacts the mother and the infant. As a response in the face of the discomfort caused by P-PTSS, maladaptive emotion regulation strategies such as brooding can emerge, contributing to the consolidation of post-partum depressive symptoms. Ultimately, both types of symptomatology, P-PTSS and post-partum depression, can act as risk factors for developing mother-child bonding difficulties. Still, this full set of temporal paths has to date remained untested. The present longitudinal study aimed to analyze the risk factors associated with the appearance of P-PTSS after post-partum and to test a path model considering the role of P-PTSS as an indirect predictor of bonding difficulties at eight months of postpartum.MethodsAn initial sample of pregnant women in the third trimester of gestation (N = 594) participated in a longitudinal study comprising two follow-ups at two and eight months of postpartum. The mothers completed online evaluations that included socio-demographic data and measures of psychological variables. A two-step linear regression model was performed to assess the predictive role of the variables proposed as risk factors for P-PTSS, and a path model was formulated to test the pathways of influence of P-PTSS on bonding difficulties.ResultsA history of psychopathology of the mother, the presence of depression during pregnancy, the presence of medical complications in the mother, and the occurrence of traumatic birth experiences all acted as significant predictors of P-PTSS, explaining 29.5% of its variance. Furthermore, the path model tested further confirmed an indirect effect of P-PTSS, triggered by a negative childbirth experience, on subsequent bonding difficulties eight months after labor through its association with higher levels of brooding and, ultimately, postpartum depression levels. A further path showed that bonding difficulties at two months postpartum can persist at eight months postpartum due to the onset of brooding and postpartum depression symptoms.ConclusionWe identified a set of robust predictors of P-PTSS: the mother’s previous history of depression, perinatal depression during pregnancy, the presence of medical complications in the mother and the occurrence of traumatic birth experiences, which has important implications for prevention. This is particularly relevant, as P-PTSS, when triggered by a negative childbirth experience, further indirectly predicted the development of mother-child bonding difficulties through the mediation of higher use of brooding and symptoms of postpartum depression. These findings can serve as a basis for developing new longitudinal studies to further advance the understanding of perinatal mechanisms of mental health.

Factors associated with Peruvian LGBTI people’s knowledge of organizations that defend their human rights

Background: We aimed determine the frequency of Peruvian Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex (LGBTI) people who don’t know organizations that defend their rights and the factors associated with the probability of knowing them. Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of the virtual survey for LGBTI people in 2017. The outcome was the lack of knowledge of organizations that defend the rights of LGBTI people. The independent variables were sociodemographic, medical history and sexual characteristics. We calculated crude and adjusted prevalence ratios using generalized linear models. Findings: We analyzed 9741 responses. The frequency of lack knowledge organizations that defend the rights of LGBTI people was 66.9%. The age, being afraid to express their sexual orientation and/or gender identity, having a family member know what an LGBTI person is, health insurance, history of anxiety and/or depression and qualifying as regular progress in the recognition of the human rights of LGBTI people were associated with a higher probability of knowing organizations that defend the rights of LGBTI people. Conclusion: A large percent of your population might be experiencing human rights violations and are not aware that there are services, organizations, and supportive groups available to protect them.

Brain health index as a predictor of possible vascular dementia in the Mexican health and aging study 2012-2015.

To determine the burden of disease among subjects at risk of developing stroke or dementia, brain health indexes (BHI) tend to rely on anatomical features. Recent definitions emphasize the need of a broader perspective that encompasses cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFS) and lifestyle components which can be considered partial contributors to optimal brain health. In this study, we aimed to establish the association and risk detected by a Brain Health Index and the risk of possible vascular dementia (PVD) using data from the Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS) 2012-2015. The MHAS is a longitudinal study of adults aged ≥ 50 years. We analyzed the data obtained between 2012 and 2015. CVRFS included in the index were diabetes mellitus, hypertension, myocardial infarction, depression, obesity, physical inactivity, and smoking history. A PVD diagnosis was established when scores in the Cross-Cultural Cognitive Examination were below reference norms and limitations in ≥1 instrumental activities of daily living and a history of stroke were present. A multinomial regression model was developed to determine the association between BHI scores and PVD. In 2015, 75 PVD cases were identified. Mean age was 67.1 ±13.2 years, 35.8% were female, and the mean educational level was 5.8 ±5.5 years. In cases with a higher score in the BHI, the model revealed a hazards ratio of 1.63 (95% CI: 1.63-1.64, p< 0.001) for PVD. In this longitudinal study, with the use of a feasible multifactorial BHI in the Mexican population, a greater score was associated with a 1.63-fold risk of developing PVD during the 3-year follow-up, while the risk for stroke was 1.75. This index could potentially be used to predict the risk of PVD in adults with modifiable CVRFS.

Factors associated with return to work after acute myocardial infarction: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The incidence of young acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is increasing. Return-to-work is an important indicator for patients' psycho-social recovery. However, factors influencing return-to-work after AMI are yet to be determined. To summary available evidence on rate and factors associated with return-to-work among AMI patients. The Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopes and two Chinese databases (CNKI and VIP) were searched from inception to October 3, 2023. Pooled rate of return-to-work (%) and odds ratio (OR) were calculated with Stata 17 software. Of 2403 records screened, 19 studies were included. Pooled rate of return-to-work at 3, 6, 12, and 24 and above months after AMI was 74%, 87%, 87%, 80% respectively. Factors associated with lower rate of return-to-work were comorbidity of diabetes (OR = 0.65; 95% CI, 0.46-0.93), history of heart failure (OR = 0.43; 95% CI, 0.23-0.80), manual labor (OR = 0.51; 95% CI, 0.35-0.76) and depression (OR = 0.59; 95% CI, 0.37-0.93). Male (OR = 1.42; 95% CI, 1.09-1.85) and higher education level (OR = 1.45; 95% CI, 1.25-1.69) were protective factors. Age, marital status and smoking were not significantly associated with return-to-work. More than half of patients could return to work at 3-month post-AMI, return-to-work rate was increased during one-year post-AMI followed by a decrease. Comorbidity of diabetes, history of heart failure, manual labor and depression were negative predictors of return-to-work, while male and higher education level were protective factors. This would assist the professionals to identify the patient who was risk for unable to return-to-work and provide support for AMI patents.

Voting propensity and parental depression

Among the most prevalent and costly of all illnesses worldwide, depression also has substantive consequences for democratic politics, not least because it is associated with lower voting propensity. One of the most reliable predictors of becoming depressed is a family history of depression, an intergenerational link thought to arise through multiple mechanisms that increase a person's cognitive, behavioural and affective disposition towards depression. We study if a person's voting propensity in adulthood is predicted by their parents' depressive symptomatology during early childhood and whether this is mediated by the likelihood of being depressed in adulthood. We analyse the 1970 British Cohort Study in which persons belonging to a same cohort have been systematically followed from early childhood to midlife. The results show that parents' symptoms of depression predict offspring's voting propensity, especially earlier in adulthood, although the effect is relatively small. Contrary to predictions, the effect is mostly direct.

Suicide by ligature strangulation and/or hanging inside a motor vehicle: a comprehensive review.

Suicide by ligature strangulation/hanging inside vehicles is uncommon, and only few cases have been reported in the literature. This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive review of reported cases of suicide by ligature strangulation/hanging inside vehicles, analyzing the features of the death scene, of the ligature and furrow, autopsy findings, and causes of death. The comprehensive review was performed following the PRISMA guidelines by using the most common scientific databases. According to inclusion criteria, a total of 20 cases of vehicle-assisted strangulation/hanging were reviewed: 13 cases were assessed as ligature strangulation resulting in 7 complete decapitations and 7 other cases as hanging. All victims were young or adult males, except for one 48-year-old female. Death was assessed as suicide in all cases, except for a possible accidental autoerotic death. In 8 cases, a history of depression or other psychiatric disorders was reported. Toxicological analysis were positive in 7 cases. Hard ligature materials (nylon, steel, plastic, hemp ropes) were used in most cases, but only 13 cases had a well-demarcated furrow. In 2 cases, no internal findings of asphyxia were found. An additional case of ligature strangulation inside a motor vehicle off is also presented, where no autopsy findings of asphyxia were observed, except for a broad pale furrow and monolateral conjunctival petechiae. This study highlights the challenges in classifying suicidal hanging and ligature strangulation in motor vehicles.

Exploring prenatal depression and postpartum depression: Findings from a prospective cohort study at University Hospital Obstetrics in Damascus.

The perinatal period is crucial for both mother and newborn, and mental health, including prenatal and postpartum depression (PPD), is a significant aspect. Screening for these disorders allows for early treatment and helps prevent risks to both mother and child. This prospective cohort study was carried out at University Hospital Obstetrics in Damascus City. The first phase was during the third trimester of pregnancy and the second phase involved a follow-up assessment after 6 weeks of delivery. The Arabic-validated version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale questionnaire (EPDS) was used. A cutoff of 13 or higher was used to determine the presence of probable depression in both assessments. Of 347 pregnant women, 38.6% had prenatal depression (PND). 295 patients have achieved the second assessment, of which 30.2% had PPD. Furthermore, 42.6% who had PND developed PPD on follow-up. Binary logistic regression indicated that PND was predicted by non-Syrian nationality, paternal absence, poor financial status, number of previous pregnancies, and a history of depression independent of pregnancy. PPD was predicted by a history of PPD, and work status. Findings underscore potential value of early screening for depressive symptoms as a predictive measure. It is recommended that women with a history of depression receive heightened attention and care, irrespective of the timing of their depressive episodes.

Association of pre-existing depression and anxiety with Omicron variant infection.

Pre-existing psychiatric disorders were linked to an increased susceptibility to COVID-19 during the initial outbreak of the pandemic, while evidence during Omicron prevalence is lacking. Leveraging data from two prospective cohorts in China, we identified incident Omicron infections between January 2023 and April 2023. Participants with a self-reported history or self-rated symptoms of depression or anxiety before the Omicron pandemic were considered the exposed group, whereas the others were considered unexposed. We employed multivariate logistic regression models to examine the association of pre-existing depression or anxiety with the risk of any or severe Omicron infection indexed by medical interventions or severe symptoms. Further, we stratified the analyses by polygenic risk scores (PRSs) for COVID-19 and repeated the analyses using the UK Biobank data. We included 10,802 individuals from the Chinese cohorts (mean age = 51.1 years, 45.6% male), among whom 7841 (72.6%) were identified as cases of Omicron infection. No association was found between any pre-existing depression or anxiety and the overall risk of Omicron infection (odds ratio [OR] =1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.95-1.14). However, positive associations were noted for severe Omicron infection, either as infections requiring medical interventions (1.26, 1.02-1.54) or with severe symptoms (≥3: 1.73, 1.51-1.97). We obtained comparable estimates when stratified by COVID-19 PRS level. Additionally, using clustering method, we identified eight distinct symptom patterns and found associations between pre-existing depression or anxiety and the patterns characterized by multiple or complex severe symptoms including cough and taste and smell decline (ORs = 1.42-2.35). The results of the UK Biobank analyses corroborated findings of the Chinese cohorts. In conclusion, pre-existing depression and anxiety was not associated with the risk of Omicron infection overall but an elevated risk of severe Omicron infection, supporting the continued efforts on monitoring and possible early intervention in this high-risk population during Omicron prevalence.

Neuroanatomical substrates of depression in dementia with Lewy bodies and Alzheimer's disease.

Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are often associated with depressive symptoms from the prodromal stage. The aim of the present study was to investigate the neuroanatomical correlates of depression in prodromal to mild DLB patients compared with AD patients. Eighty-three DLB patients, 37 AD patients, and 18 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. Depression was evaluated with the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), French version 5.0.0. T1-weighted three-dimensional anatomical images were acquired for all participants. Regression and comparison analyses were conducted using a whole-brain voxel-based morphometry (VBM) approach on the grey matter volume (GMV). DLB patients presented a significantly higher mean MINI score than AD patients (p = 0.004), 30.1% of DLB patients had clinical depression, and 56.6% had a history of depression, while 0% of AD patients had clinical depression and 29.7% had a history of depression. VBM regression analyses revealed negative correlations between the MINI score and the GMV of right prefrontal regions in DLB patients (p < 0.001, uncorrected). Comparison analyses between DLB patients taking and those not taking an antidepressant mainly highlighted a decreased GMV in the bilateral middle/inferior temporal gyrus (p < 0.001, uncorrected) in treated DLB patients. In line with the literature, our behavioral analyses revealed higher depression scores in DLB patients than in AD patients. We also showed that depressive symptoms in DLB are associated with decreased GMV in right prefrontal regions. Treated DLB patients with long-standing depression would be more likely to experience GMV loss in the bilateral middle/inferior temporal cortex. These findings should be taken into account when managing DLB patients.